Published: November 04, 2009 03:05 pm      

OHP troopers honored Tuesday for work ethic

Ada — Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers converged on Ada Tuesday to honor and reward several Pontotoc County troopers.

The ceremony was held at the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Facility in Ada.

The service awards were given for recognition of Pontotoc County — and one Johnson County — OHP troopers who demonstrated an excellent work ethic during the course of patrolling the highways of Oklahoma, said OHP Captain Ronnie Hampton, Troop Commander of Troop F.

Troopers receiving the awards were Tyler Jack, Keith Teel, Brian Bagwell, Robert Benedict, Alan Fortner, James McKee and Ashley Hamilton.

Troopers Jack and Bagwell received the ACES Award (Alcohol, Criminal Enforcement, Stolen Vehicles).

“This award is for the recognition of an OHP trooper who during a career aggressively interdicts drunk drivers and other criminal activity,” Ronnie Hampton said.

Troopers Jack, Benedict and Fortner received the Unit Commendation Award (bestowed to a group for combined exception achievement in the performance of assigned duties).

“The Unit Commendation award will recognize the efforts of the Pontotoc County troopers for making 144 drug cases, 76 drunk driving cases and arresting 239 individuals while contacting 6,567 vehicles during their patrol of the roads and highway inside Pontotoc County,” Ronnie Hampton said.

Troopers Teel, McKee and Ashley Hampton received the Troop Commanders Award which is bestowed by the troop commander for exceptional achievement by a trooper in the troop.

“The troopers assigned to Pontotoc County year after year work together collectively to ensure that the motoring public in Pontotoc County are well protected,” Captain Ronnie Hampton said. “I applaud each of these troopers for their dedication to making Pontotoc County and Oklahoma a safer place to drive.”